Evelyne Liuu

Optimal management of elderly cancer patients: usefulness of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

Background Cancer is common in older patients, who raise specific treatment challenges due to aging-related, organ-specific physiologic changes and the presence in most cases of comorbidities capable of affecting treatment tolerance and outcomes. Identifying comorbid conditions and physiologic changes due to aging allows oncologists to better assess the risk/benefit ratio and to adjust the treatment accordingly. Conducting a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is one approach developed for this purpose. We reviewed the evidence on the usefulness of CGA for assessing health problems and predicting cancer treatment outcomes, functional decline, morbidity, and mortality in older patients with solid malignancies. Methods We searched Medline for articles published in English between January 1, 2000 and April 14, 2014, and reporting prospective observational or interventional studies of CGA feasibility or effectiveness in patients aged ≥65 years with solid malignancies. We identified studies with at least 100 patients, a multivariate analysis, and assessments of at least five of the following CGA domains: nutrition, cognition, mood, functional status, mobility and falls, polypharmacy, comorbidities, and social environment. Results All types of CGA identified a large number of unrecognized health problems capable of interfering with cancer treatment. CGA results influenced 21%–49% of treatment decisions. All CGA domains were associated with chemotoxicity or survival in at least one study. The abnormalities that most often predicted mortality and chemotoxicity were functional impairment, malnutrition, and comorbidities. Conclusion The CGA uncovers numerous health problems in elderly patients with cancer and can affect treatment decisions. Functional impairment, malnutrition, and comorbidities are independently associated with chemotoxicity and/or survival. Only three randomized published studies evaluated the effectiveness of CGA-linked interventions. Further research into the effectiveness of the CGA in improving patient outcomes is needed.

Accuracy of the G-8 geriatric-oncology screening tool for identifying vulnerable elderly patients with cancer according to tumour site: The ELCAPA-02 study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE G-8 screening tool showed good screening properties for identifying vulnerable elderly patients with cancer who would benefit from a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). We investigated whether tumour site and metastatic status affected its accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study. SETTING Geriatric-oncology clinics of two teaching hospitals in the urban area of Paris. PARTICIPANTS Patients aged 70 or over (n = 518) with breast ( n= 113), colorectal (n = 108), urinary-tract (n = 89), upper gastrointestinal/liver (n = 85), prostate (n = 69), or other cancers (n = 54). MEASUREMENTS Reference standard for diagnosing vulnerability was the presence of at least one abnormal test among the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental ADL, Mini-Mental State Examination, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatrics, Timed Get-Up-and-Go, and Mini-Geriatric Depression Scale. Sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios of G-8 scores ≤ 14 were compared according to tumour site and patient characteristics. RESULTS Median age was 80; 48.2% had metastases. Prevalence of vulnerability and abnormal G-8 score was 84.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 81-87.3) and 79.5% (95% CI, 76-83). The G-8 was 86.9% sensitive (95% CI, 83.4-89.9) and 59.8% specific (95% CI, 48.3-70.4). G-8 performance varied significantly (all p values < 0.001) across tumour sites (sensitivity, 65.2% in prostate cancer to 95.1% in upper gastrointestinal/liver cancer; and specificity, 23.1% in colorectal cancer to 95.7% in prostate cancer) and metastatic status (sensitivity and specificity, 93.8% and 53.3% in patients with metastases vs. 79.5% and 63.3% in those without, respectively). Differences remained significant after adjustment on age and performance status. CONCLUSION These G-8 accuracy variations across tumour sites should be considered when using G-8 to identify elderly patients with cancer who could benefit from CGA.

Geriatric syndromes increased the nutritional risk in elderly cancer patients independently from tumoursite and metastatic status. The ELCAPA-05 cohort study

BACKGROUND & AIMS We assessed the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in elderly cancer patients. METHODS We studied a prospective cohort of solid cancer patients aged ≥70 years at referral to two geriatric oncology clinics between 2007 and 2010. Nutrition was evaluated using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) using validated cut-offs (<17: malnutrition, 17-23.5: at-risk for malnutrition). Patients with non-digestive tumours (breast, prostate, urinary tract) and with digestive (colorectal, upper digestive tract and liver) were analysed separately using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Of 643 consecutive patients, 519 had available data (median age, 80; men, 48.2%; metastases, 46.3%; digestive cancer 47.8%). In non-digestive group, 13.3% had malnutrition versus 28.6% in digestive group. The link between metastasis and malnutrition was significantly higher in non-digestive group (adjusted odds ratio [ORa ], 25.25; 95%CI: 5.97-106.8) than in digestive group (ORa, 2.59; 1.08-6.24; p for heterogeneity = 0.04). Other factors independently associated with malnutrition were cognitive impairment (ORa MMMSE ≤ 24 versus > 24 in non-digestive group: 16.68; 4.89-56.90 and in digestive group: 3.93; 1.34-11.50), and depressed mood (ORa MiniGDS ≥1 versus <1 in non-digestive group: 11.11; 3.32-37.17 and in digestive group: 3.25; 1.29-8.15) and fall risk (ORa fall risk versus no fall risk in non-digestive group: 4.68; 1.77-12.37; in digestive group: 100% of malnourished patients were fallers). CONCLUSION We highlighted, in elderly cancer patients, the high prevalence of malnutrition and that geriatrics syndromes (i.e. cognitive impairment, depressed mood and fall risk) were independent risk factors for malnutrition. Moreover, metastatic status was significantly much more strongly associated with malnutrition in non-digestive than digestive tumours.

Impact of Comorbidities on Hospital-Acquired Infections in a Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit: Prospective Study of 252 Patients

OBJECTIVES Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in long-term care units, despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and preventive measures. Our aim was to investigate risk factors for HAIs, especially in the elderly, and to describe the relationship between comorbidities (number, severity, and specific diseases) and HAIs using a comprehensive inventory of comorbidities. DESIGN Prospective cohort study SETTING Geriatric rehabilitation unit in a university hospital in the Paris metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS Participants were 252 consecutive patients aged 75 years or older (mean age, 85 ± 6.2 years) and admitted between 2006 and 2008. MEASUREMENTS Surveillance of HAI was conducted. A complete inventory of comorbidities was done using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G). Potential risk factors were evaluated in 2 risk models, one with HAI acquisition, CIRS-G, activities of daily living score less than 10, and at least 1 invasive procedure (yes/no) and the other with HAI acquisition and specific invasive procedures and diseases. RESULTS Of the 252 patients, 97 experienced HAIs, for an incidence of 5.6 infections per 1000 bed-days. The most common HAI sites were the respiratory tract (48%; 65/136) and urinary tract (37%; 51/136). The CIRS-G global score and comorbidity index were higher in patients with than without HAIs. Among HAI categories, respiratory and urogenital diseases were more prevalent in the group with HAIs. In the model combining CIRS-G, activities of daily living score less than 10, and at least 1 invasive procedure, independent risk factors for HAI were CIRS-G index (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.13-2.11; P = .005) and invasive procedures (OR, 5.18; 95% CI, 2.77-9.71; P < .001). In the model including specific procedures and diseases, independent risk factors for HAI were intravenous catheter (OR, 7.39; 95% CI, 2.94-18.56; P < .001), urinary catheter (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.40-7.88; P = .006), gastrointestinal endoscopy (OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.12-12.16; P = .03), pressure sores (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.04-6.10; P = .03), and swallowing impairment (OR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.16-9.74; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS This study identified several important risk factors for HAIs. There is a need for HAI prevention via the implementation of infection-control programs, including surveillance, in rehabilitation units.

Interrelations of immunological parameters, nutrition, and healthcare-associated infections: Prospective study in elderly in-patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS Healthcare-associated infections [HAI] are common in elderly individuals and may be related to both nutritional deficiencies and immunosenescence. Here, we assessed whether overall malnutrition and/or specific nutrient deficiencies were associated with HAI via alterations in immune parameters. METHODS Prospective observational cohort study in patients aged ≥ 70 years admitted to the geriatric rehabilitation unit of a teaching hospital in France between July 2006 and November 2008. Clinical and laboratory parameters reflecting nutritional status and immune function were collected at baseline. Flow cytometry was used to assess blood lymphocyte subsets including the naive CD4 T-cell count, naive and memory CD8 T-cell counts, effector CD8 T-cell count, and CD4/CD8 ratio. Patients were monitored for HAI for 3 months or until discharge from the geriatric unit or death. RESULTS Of 252 consecutive in-patients aged ≥ 70 years [mean age, 85 ± 6.2 years], 181 [72%] met French National Authority for Health criteria for malnutrition and 97 [38%] experienced one or more HAI. Patients who subsequently experienced HAI had significantly lower baseline values for energy intake [odds ratio (OR), 0.76; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 0.59-0.99], serum albumin [OR, 0.43; 95%CI, 0.32-0.58], serum zinc [OR, 0.77; 95%CI, 0.62-0.97], selenium [OR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.61-0.95], and vitamin C [OR, 0.71; 95%CI, 0.54-0.93]. Associations linking these five variables to HAI were not significantly changed by adjusting for flow cytometry T-cell subset values. CONCLUSION Our results suggest a direct effect of nutritional parameters on HAI rather than an indirect effect mediated by immune parameters.

What Do Older Adults Know About Their Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment? The ELCAPA-08 Cohort Study

The authors wish to thank Maarit Wuorela, MD, Evangelos Margaritis, MD, Heli Yl€a-Outinen, MD, laboratory assistant Heidi Jokinen, biostatistician Tero Vahlberg, and colleagues from the Geriatrics Department, Turku City Hospital. Financial support came from Uulo Arhio Foundation, Turku; special government transfers for Turku City Hospital, Turku; Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation, Helsinki; Finnish Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Helsinki; Academy of Finland, Helsinki; Research Funds of University of Helsinki, Helsinki; Sigrid Jus elius Foundation, Helsinki; all in Finland. Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest in connection with this paper. Author Contributions: Aronen, Jartti, and Viikari take responsibility for the content. Aronen, Viikari, Jartti, Vuorinen: study concept and design. Aronen, Viikari, Langen, Sadeghi, H€ameenaho: acquisition of data. Aronen, Jartti, Vuorinen, S€ oderlund-Venermo: analysis and interpretation of data. Aronen, Jartti: drafting of manuscript. Aronen, Jartti, Viikari, Vuorinen, Viitanen, S€ oderlundVenermo: critical revision of manuscript for important intellectual content. Jartti, Viikari: administrative, technical, or material support; study supervision. Sponsor’s Role: The sponsors and employers had no role in the design, methods, subject recruitment, data collections, analysis, or preparation of paper.

Positive perception of aging is a key predictor of quality-of-life in aging people

Objective We conducted a cross-sectional survey in France in a cohort over 55 years of age to characterize the impact of psychological dimensions on quality-of-life (QoL). Methods The predictors of QoL in relation with aging were studied using an adapted quality-of-life model, based on emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms, functional status, and general health perception. Adding psychological dimensions such as self-esteem, psychological distress, perceptions of ageing and coping, was hypothesized to improve the QoL model. Responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling and path analysis. Results The study involved 258 participants, mean age 66.9±7.9 years. Psychological distress and positive perception of aging exhibited the strongest direct impact on QoL (p<0.0001). Psychological distress also appeared to be mediator on QoL for perceived health status, self-esteem and negative perception of aging. Coping centred on emotion exhibited direct impact on self-esteem and so, indirect impact on QoL (p = 0.0002). Perception of personal financial situation (p = 0.0007) and coping centred on social support (p = 0.02) appeared as direct mediators influencing QoL. Conclusions Psychological dimensions are predictors of QOL and have to be taken into account to maximize the resources with a view to successful aging. Further interventions targeting successful aging should focus on positive perception aging.

L’évaluation gériatrique et les scores pronostiques chez le patient âgé atteint de cancer : une aide à la décision thérapeutique ?

Cancer is a disease of the elderly as demonstrated by the epidemiological evolution of Western countries. Indeed, two third of cancers newly diagnosed occur over 65 years. However, older cancer patients have been often excluded from clinical trials in oncology and the extrapolation of cancer treatments in this population remains difficult in practice. Scientific societies recommend that a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) be performed in patients aged 70 and over and selected using screening tools for frailty such as the G8 index. The CGA allows to detect aging-related vulnerabilities in various domains (comorbidities, polypharmacy, autonomy, nutrition, mobility, cognition, mood, social) and associated with adverse outcomes during cancer treatment (reduced overall survival, perioperative complications, toxicity-related chemotherapy). The CGA is allow to elaborate a personalized treatment plan in geriatric oncology. However, to date, no algorithms based on CGA is validated to guide therapeutic decision in geriatric oncology. The collaboration between geriatrician and oncologist remains essential to elaborate an appropriate therapeutic strategy and limit the situations of over- and under-treatment. This article presents the set of tools and scores used in geriatric oncology to guide the therapeutic decision.

Hypotension orthostatique chez le sujet âgé : une étude cas-témoins

Orthostatic hypotension is common in the elderly and is often associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Compression bandages are recommended as a first-line treatment but there is little evidence of their efficacy in literature. A case-control study involving 52 patients was carried out to test the efficacy of the bandages. In the group with orthostatic hypotension, compression improved the symptoms without correcting the blood pressure readings.